Higher Protein Values Research Articles

Effect of Processing Methods on the Nutritive Value of Adult Variegated Grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus)

Entomophagy (insect eating) is an age long practice by man all over the world. The nutritive values of insects are affected by many factors including processing methods. Grasshopper is one of the edible insects in Nigeria. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of processing methods on the nutritive value of adult variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatus. The grasshoppers were collected from an uncultivated farmland, washed, degutted and processed in three ways namely; boiling, roasting and frying. Processed Z. variegatus were analyzed for their proximate, minerals, vitamins and anti-nutrient profile. The data obtained were analyzed by One Way Analysis of variance and means separation was done by Duncan Multiple Range Test. The roasted grasshoppers were found to have the highest value of protein (41.54%) while the boiled insects recorded the least value (18.12%). The roasted also had the highest crude fibre (8.38%), while the raw had the least value (5.04%). The highest crude fat (37.11%) was found in the fried grasshoppers while the boiled had the least crude fat (1.59%). The fried grasshoppers recorded highest value of carbohydrate (3.43%). The roasted insects had the highest values in all the eleven minerals analyzed. Lead and Nickel were not detected in all the samples. Potassium was the highest across all processing methods, ranging from 88.01- 465.99 mg/100g while manganese was the least (0.44-1.46 mg/100g). Vitamins A, E, B2, B6 and B12 were also examined. The values for all these were highest in the roasted with 0.45, 0.48, 0.013, 0.99, and 2.63 respectively. The boiled grasshoppers had the least values in all the parameter examined except in Vitamin B6 where it had a higher value of 0.84) than the fried (0.79) and raw (0.67). Tannin was highest in the fried grasshopper (4.51) and the least in raw grasshoppers (1.29). It can therefore be concluded that processing methods significantly affected the nutritive value of Z. variegatus.

Brewery waste as a sustainable protein source for the banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus)

Abstract Crickets, like other edible insects, can convert organic by-products of the food and agricultural industries into high-value protein. Waste products high in protein like brewer’s spent grain and brewer’s spent yeast are particularly attractive replacements for unsustainable protein sources in cricket feed like fishmeal or soy. Such replacement will only be advantageous, however, if feeding on these waste products does not impact, or only minimally impacts, cricket survival, growth, and body composition. In this study, a farmed cricket species, Gryllodes sigillatus, was reared in isolation on experimental diets in which fishmeal was wholly or partially replaced with either brewer’s spent grain or brewer’s spent yeast. Cricket survival, development and macromolecular composition were not different across diets. However, wholly replacing fishmeal with brewer’s spent yeast or brewer’s spent grain reduced cricket adult body mass by approximately 16%. To extend these findings toward a farm environment, a second cohort of crickets were reared communally on diets in which fishmeal, and fishmeal and soy (a secondary protein source), were replaced by brewer’s spent grain. We found that in a communal environment, crickets reared on both diets performed equally as well as the control. Therefore, brewing waste products are promising candidates for use as a primary protein source in the feed of G. sigillatus. In addition to contributing towards the goals of a circular bioeconomy through the repurposing of waste, the use of brewing waste in cricket feed may have a positive impact of the cricket farming industry as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional feed.

In Vitro Investigation of the Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Activity of Peptides Derived From Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) Bran.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and highly aggressive tumor in the world. Although immunotherapy, surgical resection, targeted therapy and HCC transplantation could improve the prognosis for HCC patients, the tumor recurrence rate of the tumor remains high due to its insidious and invasive nature. Therefore, the development of new HCC therapeutic agents has become particularly important. Quinoa is abundant in bioactive peptides, proteins, and other functional ingredients that confer various health benefits to humans. Quinoa bran, the outer seed coat of quinoa, like quinoa, has extremely high nutritional value and rich protein content. This study firstly found that hydrolysate from quinoa bran protein (QBPP) exhibited targeting anti-HCC effect on the proliferation of HepG2 and Bel-7402 HCC cells in a concentration dependent manner, without significant toxic side effects on normal human liver cells L02. Further, QBPP exerted anti-HCC effect through mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and inhibition of HCC cells migration. Collectively, QBPP shows potential as a next-generation dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of HCC.

Edible Mushrooms: a Nutrient-Rich Ingredient for Healthier Food Products - A Review.

Edible mushrooms are found to be foods with high nutritional content, which have been shown to be more widely used ingredients in cooking in traditional dishes. This article explores the rising trend in the use of edible mushrooms in new formulations of functional foods, taking advantage of their properties and benefits in human health. The use of mushrooms as an ingredient in new or modified food formulations is driven by solid evidence of their nutritional content and bioactivity. Mushrooms stand out for their high biological value and high bioavailability protein content, as well as dietary fiber that promotes improved digestive health. Other micronutrients present are B vitamins and minerals such as selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Mushroom flour has been the prevalent mode of addition to food formulations. This type of format aims to preserve and concentrate the nutritional content of mushrooms and has achieved nutritional enrichment of products. The use of this food has also been explored to improve technological qualities in food development, so it is intended to position itself as a natural additive. This review synthesizes data on the nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and physicochemical attributes of mushrooms, emphasizing their multifaceted contributions to modern food formulations. It advocates for further research to optimize mushroom application in diverse food products and to address practical challenges for seamless integration.

Development of Plantain and Cocoyam Bread and Assessment of Its Nutritional Value to the Elderly

Cakes were produced from the substitution levels of cocoyam and plantain Nour blends (0-100% and 0-70%), respectively and enriched with 0-30% levels of Bambara groundnut protein concentrate (BGPC) Quality characteristics of the resultant product were analysed to ascertain its sensory. physical and chemical properties Acceptable cakes were produced from 70% wheat flour, 20% plantain flour and 10% BGPC with regards to colour which compared favourably with sample A (100% WF) except F and G samples which differs significantly with other samples The texture of the cakes was also acceptable but F and G samples (6.5 and 6.4), respectively shows significant difference (p <0.05) compared to others. The taste and overall acceptability were not significantly different it all levels of BGPC enrichment compared to sample A. There was no significant difference (p > 0:05) in all the samples in terms of the height except sample B with the value of 2.5cm. Highest weight of 194 2g was observed for sample B which was significantly different (p<0.05) compared to other samples Increase in BGPC further improved the volume and specific volume of the cake to 524cm3 and 3. 19cm3/100g (sample G), respectively A reduction in the values of carbohydrate, moisture and energy content of the cakes were observed at increased levels of protein concentrate Protein content of the cakes was observed to improve progressively at increasing levels of enrichment and showed significant differences up to sample D (10.4%) while the highest protein value was reported at sample G (13.2%) with 30% protein concentrate. This confirms that the developed cakes have a better nutritional value than the control and could be used to combat protein energy malnutrition.

TINGKAT MUTU HEDONIK BEKASEM IKAN NILA PADA LAMA FERMENTASI YANG BERBEDA

Fish is an economical food source and offers a more affordable alternative compared to beef and chicken. One of the commodities suitable as an inexpensive, easily found, and cultivated food with high protein value is tilapia. However, tilapia is perishable if not handled quickly or stored at low temperatures. To extend the shelf life of tilapia, processing is needed to maintain both the shelf life and the quality of the product, one of which is through fermentation. One traditional fermentation method frequently used by the people of South Sumatra is Bekasam. This study aims to determine the effect of the fermentation duration of Bekasam tilapia on its preference level or hedonic quality. Observations were made on days 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 with organoleptic and hedonic tests on those days. The method used in this research is an experimental method. Non-parametric data from the organoleptic tests were analyzed using the Friedman test, followed by ANOVA. The parameters tested included pH, appearance, aroma, taste, and texture of Bekasam tilapia. The results showed that Bekasam tilapia with 3 days of fermentation provided the best results with a pH of 6.40, and the preference scores for appearance, taste, aroma, and texture were 5.00c, 4.33c, 5.91c, and 6.47c, respectively

A preliminary study on the degradation of AFB1 by Tenebrio molitor, Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei

Abstract Recently, genus Aspergillus, a fungus capable of producing aflatoxins, secondary highly toxic metabolites, has spread to new areas. These areas became suitable habitats due to the recent climate changes. The use of aflatoxin-contaminated crops is a cause of great concern in guaranteeing food safety and is responsible for major economic losses along the supply chain. For this reason, several strategies have been investigated to utilize these contaminated products as a possible food or feed resource by reducing or eliminating their aflatoxin content, but with limited relevant success. The presented study was aimed to evaluate a combination of biological processes to use aflatoxin B1 contaminated crops for their reintroduction into the production chain. The high tolerance to AFB1 and the apparent lack of accumulation in yellow mealworm larvae, reared on wheat bran substrates, spiked with increasing AFB1 concentration (0, 125, 250, 500 μg/kg) to obtain proteins of high biological value. Subsequently, the aflatoxin-degrading capacity of Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei was applied to insect breeding waste (frass) in a fermentation process to ensure further utilization of biohazardous frass as soil conditioner. Individually, each process proven to be able to reduce the AFB1 present by about 80%, while the combination of the two approaches ensured the total degradation of aflatoxin B1-contaminated substrate and frass, which resulted in the possible production of biomass, that could be used for the feed and agricultural industry.

The Effect of Functional Component Grape Seed Powder on the Bioactive, Physicochemical, and Sensory Properties of Wild Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) Fruit Leathers

In this study, the aim was to produce functional fruit leathers using wild cornelian cherry and blackthorn enriched with grape seed powder added at different rates (0%, 1% and 10%). Some physicochemical, bioactive, color and sensory properties of the produced fruit leathers were investigated. According to the results for physicochemical features of fruit leathers, % ash amount was 1.68-2.00%, % dry matter was 82.75-91.03, protein amount was 3.52-5.71%, pH was 3.04-3.43. While dry matter values were statistically significant between samples, the fruit leather samples richest in terms of ash amount were cornelian cherry and blackthorn fruit leathers containing 10% grape seed powder. The highest protein values were determined for blackthorn fruit leather containing 10% grape seed powder. The total phenolic content of Cornelian cherry fruit leather samples was 90.7-1164.0 mg GAE/100 g, while blackthorn fruit leather samples contained 52.4-1545.6 mg GAE/100 g. Fruit leather samples were determined to have significant increases in antioxidant capacity. The highest antioxidant capacity was determined in blackthorn and cornelian cherry fruit leathers containing 10% grape seed powder with values of 1969.0 mg TE/100 g and 1463.3 mg TE/100 g according to the DPPH method and 7414.1 mg TE/100 g and 4982.4 mg TE/100 g according to the CUPRAC method, respectively. The phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of wild fruit leather significantly increased with the addition of grape seed powder. While grape seed powder added to the formulation thickened the samples, the redness of the cornelian cherry fruit leathers increased, while the blueness of blackthorn fruit leathers increased. In terms of sensory features, the general approval scores between fruit leathers were affected at a statistically significant level. The 10% grape seed proportion reduced sensory approval, while the 1% rate was liked more. The highest approval was obtained for cornelian cherry fruit leather containing 1% grape seed powder.

Mortality and Associated Factors in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Associated Pulmonary Hypertension with and without Interstitial Lung Disease: A Long-Term Follow-up Study.

We aimed to analyze the prevalence, mortality, and prognostic factors in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) with or without interstitial lung disease (ILD). The associations between mortality and demographics, transthoracic echocardiography, right heart catheterization (RHC), pulmonary functional parameters at baseline, and treatment modalities in two groups; patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, PH without significant ILD) and PH + ILD were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 56.6±13.5 (range: 34-82, 44 women/ 2 men), and 23 (52.3%) were deceased during a median follow-up of 45 months. The survival rates of PH-SSc patients were 91% for the first year, 75% for 2 years, 68% for 3 years, and 43.1% for 5 years. The majority of deceased patients were in the PH + ILD group (p=0.007). The PH + ILD group had more diffuse skin involvement, anti-Scl-70 positivity, high C-reactive protein, low FVC, and lower DLCO values. The deceased patients had higher ePASP, low CO, and FVC values compared to surviving patients. Median survival time was significantly better in patients on combined therapy (44 vs. 61 months, p=0.01). The mortality-related factors in the PH + ILD group were decreased initial FVC, high ePASP on echocardiography, low cardiac output on RHC, deteriorated functional class, and monotherapy. This is the first reported SSc-PH cohort from Turkey by a multidisciplinary team after the implementation of PAH-specific drugs. SSc-PH is a severe complication of SSc with high mortality especially in patients with accompanying severe ILD.

Proteomic Analysis of the Major Alkali-Soluble Inca Peanut (Plukenetia volubilis) Proteins.

Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) oil press-cake (SIPC) represents a new source of proteins of high biological value, with promissory food applications. However, knowledge of these proteins remains limited. In this study, a Sacha Inchi protein concentrate (SPC) was extracted from the SIPC, and proteomic analysis was performed to identify the major alkaline-soluble proteins. The electrophoretic profile highlighted the efficacy of alkaline pH and moderate temperature to extract the major proteins, from which a group of proteins, not previously reported, were registered. LC-MS/MS analyses produced abundant high-quality fragmentation spectra. Utilizing the Euphorbiaceae database (DB), 226 proteins were identified, with numerous well-assigned spectra remaining unidentified. PEAKS Studio v11.5 software generated 1819 high-quality de novo peptides. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD052665. Gene ontology (GO) classification allowed the identification of sequenced proteins associated with biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components in the seed. Consequently, the principal alkali-soluble proteins from SPC were characterized through derived functional analysis, covering 24 seed-storage-, 27 defense-, and 12 carbohydrate- and lipid-metabolism-related proteins, crucial for human nutrition due to their sulfur-containing amino acids, antioxidant properties, and oil yields, respectively. This research makes a significant contribution to the current understanding of the Sacha Inchi proteome and offers valuable insights for its potential applications in the food industry.

Selectivity of gillnets for the capture of Selene peruviana and Peprilus medius in the Ecuadorian Pacific

In the Ecuadorian Pacific, Selene peruviana and Peprilus medius are target species for artisanal fishing caught with gillnets that constitute an important fishery resource for local consumption, given that they are highly valued species due to their low cost and their contribution of high biological value protein. However, no studies have determined selectivity in capturing these species. This study evaluates the selectivity of monofilament surface gillnets with mesh sizes of 3" (7.62 cm) and 3 ½" (8.89 cm), mostly used by artisanal fishers. Data were obtained from several fishing operations within the coastal zone of 8 nautical miles (nm) in Manabí, Ecuador, in 2017, between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. Selectivity parameters and curves were evaluated through multi-model analysis using the SELEC method. The lognormal model showed the best fit with modal lengths of 24.23 and 21.96 cm for S. peruviana and P. medius, respectively, and selection factors of 3.23 and 3.11. The optimal mesh sizes were calculated at 7.20 and 6.91 cm, respectively, which are smaller than those commonly used by most local artisanal fishers. Therefore, it can be inferred that the size distribution of the captured species follows a lognormal distribution, suggesting that gillnets have a higher probability of capturing larger fish.

Perspectives on optimizing microalgae cultivation: Harnessing dissolved CO2 and lactose for sustainable and cost-efficient protein production

Microalgae, known for their land-sparing cultivation and remarkable photosynthetic efficiency, play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development goals. This study explored the use of cost-effective inorganic carbon (the ionic form of CO2) and organic carbon sources (lactose, a primary sugar in whey wastewater) to support the growth of Chlorellasorokiniana UTEX 1230, and improved protein content through nitrogen supply optimization. NaHCO3 proved to be more effective than Na2CO3, resulting in a 3.4-fold increase in biomass concentration, with an initial 5 mM HCO3‾ concentration compared to the basal medium. Further addition of 0.75 % lactose led to a 4.05-fold increase in biomass concentration, with the maximum specific growth rate at 1.28/d, maximum biomass concentration at 695.88 mg/L, and maximum biomass productivity at 250.91 mg/L/d. Nitrogen supplementation greatly increased protein concentration from 16.41 % (250 mg/L NaNO3) to 52.95 % (1000 mg/L NaNO3). These results support the potential for utilizing whey wastewater bioremediation to produce high-value protein via microalgal cultivation.

Ultrasound as Green Technology for the Valorization of Pumpkin Leaves: Intensification of Protein Recovery.

The recovery of valuable nutritional compounds, like proteins, from waste streams and by-products is a key strategy for enhancing production sustainability and opening up new market potential. This research aimed to use high-intensity ultrasound as an innovative technique to extract the soluble proteins from the pumpkin leaves. The impact of various sonication amplitudes and duration periods on protein yield, functional properties, antioxidant qualities, and structural characteristics, were studied. Utilization of ultrasound technology significantly increased the yield of pumpkin leaf protein by up to 40%-six times higher than maceration. The ultrasound extraction provided a RuBisCO-rich protein fraction with high radical scavenging and chelating activities, especially at 40% amplitude. Cavitation modified the tertiary and secondary structures of leaf proteins: the amount of α-helix changed based on amplitude (12.3-37.7%), the amount of random coil increased to 20.4%, and the amount of β-turn reduced from 31 to 18.6%. The alteration of the protein fluorescence spectrum (blue shift in spectrum) provides further evidence that ultrasound alters the proteins' molecular structure in comparation with maceration; the maximum tryptophan fluorescence intensity decreased from 22.000 to 17.096. The hydrophobicity values of 76.8-101.5 were substantially higher than the maceration value of 53.4, indicating that ultrasound improved the hydrophobicity of protein surfaces. Ultrasound resulted in a significant increase in solubility in an acidic environment with the increase in sonication amplitude. A 2.4-fold increase in solubility at pH 2 becomes apparent (20% amplitude; 43.1%) versus maceration (18.2%). The emulsifying ability decreases from 6.62 to 5.13 m2/g once the sonication amplitude increases by 20-70%. By combining the ultrasound periods and amplitudes, it is possible to create high-value protein leaf extracts with improved properties which can find real application as food additives and dietary supplements.

Impact of Variations in Rabbit Urine Fertilizer Dosage on Corn Fodder (Zea mays) productivity

Corn is a ruminant animal feed with high vegetable protein and carbohydrate values. Because corn growers need a large area of land, one alternative is corn fodder. The application of corn fodder is very simple, harvests quickly and saves land. To support the growth of corn fodder, adequate nutrition is needed. Rabbit urine organic fertilizer contains high levels of N, P and K nutrients to increase plant productivity. This study aims to determine the effect of different doses of rabbit urine on the productivity of corn fodder (Zea mays). The method in this research is the research method used in this research is the Completely Randomized Design Method (CRD) which consists of 4 treatments, namely the concentration of rabbit urine fertilizer. Rabbit urine fertilizer concentrations consisted of 7 ml, 14 ml and 21 ml. Harvested on day 14. The parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, wet biomass and dry biomass. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the use of rabbit urine fertilizer in corn fodder at the average plant height P0=10.32 P1=11.85 P2=11.44 P3=13.67. The mean number of leaves P0=1.64 P1=1.73 P2=1.69 P3=1.81. The mean for wet biomass P0=57.37 P1=71.14 P2=74.09 P3=86.65. The average dry biomass, namely P0=6 P1=11 P2=11.40 P3=17.40. The conclusion from this research is that corn fodder given rabbit urine fertilizer has a very significant effect (P<0,01) on plant height, number of leaves, wet biomass and dry biomass.

Effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance, hemato–biochemical, and immune parameters in ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) juveniles

A feeding trial was conducted to detect the optimal dietary protein requirement for ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) juveniles. Four isoenergetic diets were formulated to contain different protein levels i.e. 40 % (P40), 45 % (P45), 50 % (P50), and 55 % (P55). A total of 180 ship sturgeon juveniles, with an average weight of 63.5 ± 1.3 g, were randomly distributed into triplicated groups (15 fish per tank) and fed on the experimental diets for 10 weeks. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in growth indices and feed intake were noted with increasing dietary protein levels up to 50 % after which (P55) fish growth was declined. The highest values of protein and lowest value of lipids and ash contents were noted in the whole-body of fish fed on the P50 diet. The levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were markedly influenced (P < 0.05) by varying dietary protein concentrations, and the most elevated values were identified in the P50 treatment. Linear increases were observed in alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphate levels; while quadratic increases were observed in aspartate aminotransferase activities due to the increase in dietary protein levels. Quadratic increases in total protein (TP), total immunoglobulin (total Ig), and lysozyme (LYZ) were observed due to feeding the fish on higher protein levels. The highest level of TP was significantly (P < 0.05) found in P50 and P55 with no significant (P > 0.05) difference between them. Levels of total Ig and LYZ were significantly (P > 0.05) highest in the P50 treatment. Based on the regression fitting curves of growth indices, the optimum dietary protein level for ship sturgeon (A. nutiventis) juveniles is found to be 46.5 % – 50 %. Data AvailabilityAll data of this study are included in this article.

Improving foam stability: Calcium addition, high hydrostatic pressure, and their combinations on soybean protein isolates

Various combinations of high hydrostatic pressure treatment (HHPT, 0.1 or 600 MPa), calcium addition (0, 0.50, or 0.75 mmol CaCl2/g protein), and protein content ([Prot.], 1, 5, or 10 g/L) were applied to soybean protein isolate (SPI) dispersions to analyze their effects on the formation and stability of foams. The significant interactions between these factors led to several combinations that improved foam stability via different mechanisms that involved different solubilities, aggregate sizes, and molecular structures of proteins. Thirty min after foam formation, calcium combined with HHPT improved volume of foam (VF30) and volume of liquid retained (VLr30), by the formation of strong interfacial films owing to the increased cross-linking ability of soluble and intermediate-sized aggregates. Calcium without HHPT had a greater effect on VLr30 than on VF30, which could be owing to the insoluble and large aggregates that blocked Plateau borders. HHPT without calcium led to small denatured aggregates that were soluble and improved the VLr30 when [Prot.] was lower. Industrial relevanceCalcium enriched plant proteins with good techno-functional properties is a prevailing need, considering the current cultural, economic and environmental changes that occur. The findings of this study could serve as an input for the incorporation of high biological value proteins and calcium into aerated foods, and would contribute to develop innovative products. Treatment with high hydrostatic pressure could be advantageous on account of modifying the protein structure and thereby improving the stability of the foams. Under certain conditions, such as those of aerosol whipping creams, high hydrostatic pressure would simultaneously improve techno-functional properties of proteins and pasteurize the dispersions, which would then have to be safely canned.

Comparison of drying methods for biochemical composition, energy aspects, and color properties of alfalfa hay

AbstractAlfalfa is a crucial feed source for livestock, necessitating proper drying to achieve optimal moisture levels before consumption. This study aims to reveal alfalfa's drying characteristics and quality properties, defined as the queen of feed, by drying it under different drying conditions. Alfalfa samples were dried using different drying techniques: Open-sun, shade, greenhouse, hybrid (microwave-air-convective), air-convective, microwave, and freeze-drying. The influence of drying techniques on the drying kinetics, energy aspects, biochemical properties, mineral composition, fatty acids, carotene, and color attributes of alfalfa were investigated. Present findings revealed that shade and high-temperature drying conditions increased the crude fiber content (23.18%) of alfalfa samples. The highest protein values were found in open-sun drying (22.01%) and 60 °C air-convective drying (22.10%). The highest values for mineral composition were determined in freeze drying, and the greatest Zn (33.68 ppm) and Fe (135.45 ppm) contents were determined in 100 °C air-convective drying. The highest saturated fatty acids open-sun (21.27%) and freeze dryer (21.07%), unsaturated fatty acids at 60 °C (84.51%) and 80 °C (84.26%), poly unsaturated fatty acids at 60 °C (78.36%), 80 °C (78.14%) and 100 °C (77.74%) were obtained. The drying kinetics of alfalfa were best modeled with the Jena&amp;Das, and in terms of a* (greenness) values, the hybrid drying yielded the best results. The lowest total energy consumption (54.00 kWh) was seen in 200W + 80 °C hybrid drying and the highest (324.72 kWh) in 100 °C air-convective drying. The color attributes and energy consumption findings showed that hybrid drying could efficiently be used for alfalfa drying. In addition, freeze drying was determined to be the best drying method in terms of nutrient preservation.

Harnessing the potential of microalgae for the production of monoclonal antibodies and other recombinant proteins.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become indispensable tools in various fields, from research to therapeutics, diagnostics, and industries. However, their production, primarily in mammalian cell culture systems, is cost-intensive and resource-demanding. Microalgae, diverse photosynthetic microorganisms, are gaining attention as a favorable option for manufacturing mAbs and various other recombinant proteins. This review explores the potential of microalgae as a robust expression system for biomanufacturing high-value proteins. It also highlights the diversity of microalgae species suitable for recombinant protein. Nuclear and chloroplast genomes of some microalgae have been engineered to express mAbs and other valuable proteins. Codon optimization, vector construction, and other genetic engineering techniques have significantly improved recombinant protein expression in microalgae. These accomplishments demonstrate the potential of microalgae for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Microalgal biotechnology holds promise for revolutionizing the production of mAbs and other therapeutic proteins, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution to address critical healthcare needs.

PENGARUH BAHAN PELAPIS BENIH TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN JAGUNG (Zea mays L.) PADA CEKAMAN SALIN

Maize is one of the most important food commodities after rice and is widely cultivated because it has a high protein value. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the coating material on the growth and yield of maize under saline stress. This research was conducted in the Agroecotechnology greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Trunojoyo Madura from August 2022 to January 2023. This study used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 10 treatment combinations and 3 replications with a factor of one coating material (P) and a factor of two salinity (K). The coating material factor consisted of 5 treatments namely control (P0), bentonite (P1), biochar (P2), light coal (P3), and biochar compost (P4), the saline stress factor consisted of 2 treatments namely control (K0) and saline (K1). The results showed that the application of coating material to saline stress had a significant effect on all growth parameters. The interaction between treatments only had a significant effect on plant height at 1 MST, leaf area at 6 MST, and 100 seed weight. Treatment (P2K1) with biochar and saline showed the best results on all growth and yield parameters of maize. Saline stress reduced the percentage of growth and yield of maize by about 50%.

Unraveling the dynamic interplay of microbial communities associated to Lupinus angustifolius in response to environmental and cultivation conditions

Microorganisms form dynamic communities with plants, providing benefits such as nutrient acquisition and stress resilience. Understanding how these microorganisms are affected by environmental factors such as growth conditions and soil characteristics are essential for harnessing these communities for sustainable agriculture practices and their response to climate change. The microbiome associated to Lupinus angustifolius, a legume native in Europe, with a high protein value and stress resilience was characterized for the first time. Using 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, we characterized the compositional and temporal changes of the bacterial and fungal communities associated to the soil, rhizosphere, and plant compartments where Lupinus angustifolius grows naturally. Our results suggest that the main difference in the soil microbial communities is related to the edaphic properties, although environmental factors such as temperature, humidity or rainfall also influenced the composition of the soil microbial communities. We also characterized the bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves of wild plants collected in the field and compared them against plants obtained under greenhouse conditions. In the plant compartments, the bacterial composition appeared to be more affected by the growing conditions (field vs greenhouse), than by soil characteristics or location. These results can be used to identify key taxa that may play crucial roles in the development and adaptation of the host plant and its associated microbiota to environmental changes and highlight the importance of characterizing the plant microbiomes in their natural habitats. Soil, influenced by climatic seasons, shapes the plant microbiome assembly. Lupinus recruits a core microbiome across rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves, that is stable across locations. However, cultivation conditions may alter microbiome dynamics, impacting the adaptability of its components. Wild plants show a resilient and adaptable microbiome while germination and cultivation in greenhouse conditions alter its composition and vulnerability.